NEW YORK (March 1, 2016) – Boston Bruins forward Zac Rinaldo has been suspended for five games, without pay, for an illegal check to the head of Tampa Bay Lightning forward Cedric Paquette during NHL Game No. 933 in Boston on Sunday, Feb. 28, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced today.

The incident occurred at 10:49 of the first period. Rinaldo was assessed a minor penalty for illegal check to the head.

Rinaldo is considered a repeat offender under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, will forfeit $51,829.25. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Only games played by his team while Rinaldo is on an NHL roster will count as those fulfilling the terms of the suspension.

As of Monday, February 29th, 2016 Rinaldo was assigned to the Bruins’ AHL affiliate in Providence.

Winter was hooked on hockey by age 6, when she first witnessed a bench clearing brawl between the Boston Bruins and the Ottawa Senators. Growing from hockey fan to hockey player, Winter followed her passions by founding The Pink Puck. While she also loves fashion and the outdoors, hockey will always be her center ice. Email: winter@thepinkpuck.com Twitter: @Winter_Adams